Clickbait is Manipulating Your Brain – and You LOVE It!
Here is ONE weird trick that I used to 10x my clicks
Clickbait Is Manipulating Your Brain—And You LOVE It! Here’s Why You Should Steal Its Secrets…
(See what I did with that headline?)
Clickbait. You hate it, right? Those cringy, over-the-top headlines that promise life-changing secrets but deliver… disappointment.
But let’s be real—clickbait works. If it didn’t, people wouldn’t keep falling for it. And if you’re writing headlines for blog posts, social media, emails, or even sales pages, you’d be crazy not to steal some of its tricks (ethically, of course).
So, what can we learn from clickbait without making our audience roll their eyes and unfollow? Let’s break it down.
- Clickbait Creates Curiosity (And Curiosity = Clicks)
People are nosy. They don’t want to be left out. Clickbait headlines take full advantage of that.
Example of boring: "How to Improve Your Writing"
Clickbait-inspired upgrade: "Writers HATE These 5 Simple Tricks (But They Work!)"
See the difference? The first one feels meh. The second makes you wonder:
- What are these tricks?
- Why do writers hate them?
- Is this something I need to know?
Curiosity is a powerful force. Use it in your headlines, and people will be itching to click.
- Clickbait Uses Emotional Triggers
Clickbait headlines make you feel something—shock, excitement, fear, outrage, or urgency. And emotions drive action.
Compare these two:
"Tips for Growing Your Email List"
"The #1 Email Marketing Mistake That’s Costing You Thousands"
The second one hits harder because it taps into fear and FOMO. It implies you’re already losing money—yikes.
Want people to take action? Make them feel something.
- Clickbait Is Stupidly Specific
Clickbait doesn’t just say "some" or "a few"—it gets hyper-specific.
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Why it works:
- Numbers create instant credibility.
- "Weird" and "No One Is Talking About It" imply exclusive info.
- "Exact strategy" makes it feel like a proven formula.
Specificity = trust. Trust = clicks.
- Clickbait Plays With Expectations
Clickbait often sets up a surprise—or hints at one. It makes the reader feel like they need to click to get the full story.
For example:
"How I Lost Weight in 30 Days" (meh)
"I Ate THIS Every Day for 30 Days—The Results Shocked Me!" (wait, what did you eat?!)
Your brain has to know what "THIS" is. That’s the magic of curiosity and expectation combined.
So, tease a result or hint at a mystery in your headlines. Just make sure you actually deliver on the promise.
- Clickbait Uses Power Words
Certain words make people stop scrolling. Clickbait headlines are full of them.
"You’re Doing X WRONG—Here’s How to Fix It"
"The TRUTH About X That No One Wants to Tell You"
"X Experts DON’T Want You to Know About"
"STOP Doing This If You Want X"
Power words like "truth," "secrets," "mistake," "wrong," "stop," "shocking" add urgency and drama. They make people feel something—and that leads to engagement.
So, Should You Use Clickbait Headlines?
Yes—but with integrity.
Nobody likes actual clickbait that overpromises and underdelivers. But you should use its best tactics to make your headlines:
More engaging
More curiosity-driven
More emotionally compelling
Because let’s be honest—if your headline is boring, no one will ever read the amazing content you worked so hard on.
Takeaway: Steal the psychology of clickbait. Just make sure you back it up with real value.
Now your turn! Drop your best "clickbait-inspired" headline in the comments—I’ll rate it! 